George Bailey's leadership tp be put to the test in one-day series against Sri Lanka

GEORGE Bailey might be the new Australian one-day captain and the country's leading 50-over run-scorer since his debut, but he still does not feel like a permanent member of the national team.

The Tasmania, Hobart Hurricanes and Australian T20 captain will act take charge of the one-day team for the first two games against Sri Lanka, with Michael Clarke rested and his deputy, Shane Watson, out injured.

Since his debut against the West Indies in March last year, Bailey has scored 441 runs at 40.1 with three half-centuries -- 87 runs more than his nearest teammate, the now retired Mike Hussey.

"I don't think I'll ever feel like I've cemented my spot in an Australian side and that is not a bad thing at all," Bailey said yesterday.

"It is just the nature of the beast. I certainly feel like I've contributed."

Bailey takes over a side without a host of senior players, including Clarke, Watson, Hussey, David Warner and Matthew Wade.

"We've had a pretty lean period in those 13 games, so I guess as far as what this group's got ahead of it, we'd certainly like to get Australia to the top of the one-day rankings and that's going to be a bit of a slow-burn process I guess," Bailey said.

"A few fresh faces into that one-day side freshening up a few of those Test players.

"I think there is a really good mix there and I think they are looking ahead to that World Cup (in 2015).

"There is a good balance of players there that can make up the core of that side."

Hussey was left out of the squad as he would not be part of the 2015 World Cup campaign, however, with Wade rested, the selectors opted for 35-year-old Brad Haddin over 28-year-old Tasmanian Tim Paine.

"That is a real challenge for someone like Tim Paine down here to get back to his best form," Bailey said.

"There is no doubt when he's at his best he can certainly be challenging those two as well.

"The next few years is going to be really interesting for that wicketkeeping spot, but you can't argue with Wadey's done since he's had the opportunity and Hadds's record is very strong as well."

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